Tonight’s surprise performer:
Karl Lattimer
This was the Sixteenth event of the 2023 Christchurch Living Advent Calendar and we are in the gardens of the Red House Museum. In the two previous years the weather gods had not been kind. Two years ago it was bitterly cold, last year it drizzled. We were treated us to a mild, almost dry evening. The supporters of Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), tonight’s charity, were out in force, including their mascot, Captain Jack.
Peter Boardman, Christchurch Rotary president was MC for the evening and got things moving, welcoming everyone and introducing Liz Hann of RNLI. She gave a short presentation on the work of the Institution and introduced Karl Lattimer the evening’s performer.
Karl is an accomplished pianist and singer. His selection of music seemed to appeal to the entire audience. He gave us a wide variety of songs, from standards like “Let it snow” to popular hits of yesteryear such as “Is this the Way to Amarillo” and “I’m a believer”. These were interspersed with modern classic Christmas songs like Slade’s “Merry Christmas everybody”. He and Captain Jack got a large part of the audience singing and dancing. All in all a memorable evening. Too memorable, I can’t get the tune of ABB’s “Dancing Queen” out of my head! The audience went home happy.
Liz Hann thanked Karl for a wonderful performance.
‘Driving Home for Christmas’ performance
Peter Boardman then introduced the evening’s sponsor, BNI, whose representative presented a check for £500 to the RNLI. Liz thanked the sponsor BNI, the Red House Museum and Laura Bullivant for hosting the event, The Snug for providing refreshments and all those who had worked so hard to make the event a success.
Especial thanks to Pippa and Kelvin Medley–Jones of the Primrose Trust which provides the prime sponsorship for CLAC and provides a solid foundation for the event.
Peter continued with thanks to BNI, which is the overall sponsor for their continued support. Finally he drew attention to the efforts of the CLAC team led by Jan Banks whose work over the year resulted in the success of the Calendar.
The last act of a memorable evening was the draw for the Raffle prizes.
Peter reminded the crowd that the next performance would be at Mad4Dance Studio.
Raising money for:
Christchurch and Bournemouth RNLI
Christchurch and Bournemouth RNLI: raising funds for the training and equipment of the RNLI Lifeguards on the beautiful beaches around our bay. There have been lifeguards on Bournemouth beaches since 1965; they have been recruited, managed, trained and equipped by the RNLI for nearly 20 years. To support them, go to:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-christchurch-bournemouth-2023
Thank you to tonight’s Venue:
The Red House Museum
The Red House Museum is a welcoming community museum in the heart of Christchurch. Operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust, this charming Georgian building was built as a workhouse in 1764, and is now filled with a rich variety of displays. The museum also has a varied programme of workshops, events and exhibitions, with something for all ages. We also work hard to create opportunities designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local people, including wellness activities and a programme of activities for people with dementia and carers.n our communities.
https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/red-house-museum-and-gardens
Kindly sponsored by:
BNI
Each week, in thousands of communities across the globe, members meet with other trusted business leaders to build and nurture lasting relationships and pass qualified business referrals. Membership in BNI® offers access to business training, peer learning and opportunities to network and do business with hundreds of thousands of BNI® members around the world.
Website: https://bnidorset.co.uk/en-GB/index
Refreshments provided by:
The Snug
More about 16th December’s surprise performer:
Karl Lattimer
“My name is Karl Lattimer. I am a young singer songwriter from Wareham and I love, live and breathe music.
At the age of thirteen I started to write my own music and my first song was titled “Home Is Where The Heart Is”. People ask me where I get the ideas for my songs from but to be perfectly honest they just pop into my head.
I first entered a talent competition whilst on holiday when I was thirteen and I won! That win gave me a huge boost of confidence and ever since I have always wanted to be a performer.
I hope you enjoy listening to my music as much as I enjoy making it.”
